“It needs to be tackled and research is very important because so many people are affected by it.”

Mrs Mckenzie, mum to Lewis, 14, and 10-year-old Bradley, said: “I’ve always wanted to do it and this year I just took the opportunity.

“A lot of the forum members’ families have lost people from cancer, and they were willing to donate. It’s absolutely fantastic.”

Mr Mckenzie said: “I’ve been a Spurs fan all my life, because when I was a kid I nearly stepped out in front of a car and a Spurs fan pulled me back and saved my life. I saw the crest on his shirt and just chose them.”

He added: “I’m absolutely an Oxford United fan as well – our family are nuts about them.”

Cancer Research UK is urging the women who ran the race to send in their sponsorship money.

The charity hopes the July 13 runners will have raised a total of £350,000 to fund research into 200 types of cancer.

For information on how to return sponsorship money, or to make a donation, visit raceforlife.org